Scenic Biking in Obwalden: A ride around Lake Lungern and Lake Sarnen

Initially, I had planned a classic hike around Lake Lungernsee, which had been on my bucket list for a long time. But my careful planning was unexpectedly interrupted by my husband with an idea: ‘How about we take our bikes and also go to Sarnensee?’ To be honest, I hesitated a little because I hadn’t been on a bike for quite a long time. That is, if you don’t count the occasional short trips to the shops or the (very nearby) surroundings. But when he added the magic words, ‘We’ll see more,’ the decision was made. That was precisely what I wanted to hear. So I immediately started looking for my cycling gear, which was stuffed somewhere at the bottom of my wardrobe.

Lake Lungern and Lake Sarnen

The emerald green Lake Lungern is picturesquely nestled between the Alpine peaks in the canton of Obwalden. It covers an area of two square kilometres and has a pleasant temperature of up to 23 degrees in summer. Looking at a map, the lakes of Lungern and Sarnersee might appear to be neighbours at the same level. However, this is not the case: the picturesque Lake Lungern lies approximately 200 metres higher than Lake Sarnersee, which is also almost four times larger. The town of Sarnen, the capital of the canton of Obwalden, lies on its shore.

How to get there

Lungern and Sarnen are located on the route of the panoramic Lucerne-Interlaken Express train. Get off at either Lungern, Giswil or Sarnen, depending on where you want to start your tour around the lakes. By car: We drove from Interlaken via the Brünig Pass. We parked at Seepark Lungern, where there is free parking at Parkplatz Lopp (Loppstrasse, 6078 Lungern). If it is full, a paid car park is available at the campsite, located a few hundred metres away.

Route around the lakes

We started our ride at the aforementioned car park and headed towards the campsite along cycle route 701, Lungererseerundfahrt. On the way, we passed the lower station of the Lungern-Turren Bahn cable car and could already see the Dundelsbach waterfall. It is protected as a national monument. The route along the northern shore of the lake followed a wide, unpaved road. Please note that this is also a hiking trail, so be considerate.

After biking less than five kilometers, turn left towards Sarnen, before reaching Kaiserstuhl. Here, a 12% descent awaits us, but first, of course, a break to take some photos.

In Giswil, we turn left towards Grössteil, continue through Oberwilen and Wilen, enjoying not only the view of the lake but also the peaks of central Switzerland (including Pilatus and Stanserhorn 🙂 ).

When we reach the picturesque square in Sarnen, we are halfway there. We fill our bottles with water at the fountain in the square and continue back, this time along the opposite bank on route no. 702 – Sarnenseerundfahrt back to Giswil.

Now you’re in for a climb where you’ll overcome 200 metres of elevation over two kilometres (yes, that’s the 12% I mentioned earlier). Yes, I admit it – we walked it, not cycled it. It was simply impossible, especially in that heat. As I mentioned, I was not in shape to do this – respect to everyone who can.

Then we passed Kaiserstuhl, a popular spot for fishermen, and drove back to Lungern along the opposite shore of the lake. Finally, we stopped for refreshments at a kiosk in Seepark Lungern. Here you will find a short but interesting menu that includes mixed salads, pizza, flammkuchen, and burgers. We found a small grassy beach for swimming roughly in the middle of the lake (which we reached by car) – we had already checked out the best spots when we were cycling past.

My tip: Chälrütirank viewpoint

On your way back to Bünnigpass and Interlaken, don’t forget to stop at the Chälrütirank viewpoint, where you can take photos of the lake from a bird’s eye view.

Summary:

• The route was approximately 40 kilometres long.
• If you want to take your children with you or introduce them to the joys of cycling, I recommend cycling around just one lake. Lungernsee is approximately 10 kilometres in circumference, while Sarnensee is just under 20 kilometres.
• You can also hire pedal boats and SUPs at Seepark Lungern. There is a water slide, diving board and water trampoline for children.